Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
117. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on any interactions he has had with EU Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi in relation to EU-Palestinian aid payments; and if he believes the Commissioner position to be tenable given recent events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48038/23]
View answerOn 9 October, the European Commission stated that it would not immediately suspend its package of financial assistance to Occupied Palestinian Territories. This followed an earlier announcement by the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, that the Commission was putting its full development portfolio for Palestinians under review and that all payments were suspended. In clarifying, the Commission also stated that it would carry out an urgent review of the EU’s assistance for Palestine in light of the current conflict. It indicated that this urgent review does not concern humanitarian assistance provided under the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.
I have made clear, including at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 23 October, that any such review must be completed rapidly and in close consultation with Member States. Equally, I have been clear that there should be no suggestion of engaging in collective punishment following the heinous acts of terrorism carried out by Hamas on 7 October. It is also vital at this time of crisis that critical services to the Palestinian people in Gaza, including water, health and relief, must not be negatively affected by a review of assistance.
On 14 October the Commission announced a tripling of its humanitarian assistance to Gaza to €75 million. I welcomed this announcement. Ireland has already provided an immediate package of €13 million in additional humanitarian support through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and UN OCHA, and we are working with our partners on the very urgent need for access so that vital assistance can reach the people of Gaza.
